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they had an interview with Youk on WEEI last week and he said of him moving to SS or catcher was ridiculous saying that these players are the best of the best and they spend countless hours to get where they are. You just can't move to another position on a whim.
They could always sign a catcher with good defense. Sign somebody like Olivo, Barajas, Zaun, or Valentin for a season, or two at most. Then they can bring Kottaras along slowly as part of a platoon. Crazy thought for those who want an All-Star at every single position, but it's not like the Red Sox are starving for offense.
Yeah, I highly doubt one offseason including spring training would be enough to get Youkilis close to being an even average catcher. And many times, when a player is at a new position, their offense suffers. Why risk it?Quote:
Originally Posted by cartman00000001
Particularly when they move to catcher, as catching takes a much heavier toll on the body than any other position.Quote:
Originally Posted by BINGLEBOP
I didn't hear that, but find it interesting it came up. I think this is part honesty and part the standard line. Whats he going to say, yeah i'll try catcher while the team is in negotiations with a close friend and team captain Tek?Quote:
Originally Posted by cartman00000001
Only reason I find it interesting is because its not a 'whim'. He was drafted as a catcher and has changed positions successfully twice in the past. Also, if Tex were signed, and Lowell healthy...it seems a much safer high upside option than the other weak catchers on the market.
If Tex isn't signed...this never gets considered. But there is very few ways to improve this current lineup. Tex is the biggest upgrade possible, and that 'upgrade' is negated partly because you're losing the offense of Lowell or Yuke. One has to sit...and the holes at SS, CF, and catcher as well as the uncertainty of Papi's health still exist.
I'm just stating its not unreasonable...and i'm prophetizing that once Tek leaves Boston for sure (i'm 75% sold that he's gone) you will hear this talk and Youk will state he'd be willing to do whatever necessary if Tex is signed.
he's got experience there however...and its only 'risked' if you bring in Tex to play first. Still risky, but a calculated one with great upside.Quote:
Originally Posted by BINGLEBOP
I already stated his offense would probably suffer...thats a given at that position...however his ability to work the pitcher and have a very good OBP and above average bat at the position is still very likely.Quote:
Originally Posted by HoustonGM
I tend to agree with this. You seem to have enough offense, so just concentrate on getting a catcher that you KNOW can, you know...CATCH. :DQuote:
Originally Posted by BINGLEBOP
I bet you Colorado would GLADLY give you Torrealba
Seattle fans, what would it take for the Twins to trade for Adrian Beltre? I've been hearing his name thrown out there and I would like to see a guy like him on the Twins.
but what his is contract like? I do feel bad for Twins fans. The owner is one of the richest, yet doesn't pump it into the team. :( Could you imagine if they did?Quote:
Originally Posted by EVEN11323
He is actually the richest owner in baseball, according to Forbes.Quote:
Originally Posted by cartman00000001
ahh...THE richest. Amazing
Not really surprising. This is the idiot who has admitted to only holding on to the Twins because he likes hanging out with the other owners, and who tried like Hell to get his own team contracted.
makes you wish you could fire your owner.
Latest on Holliday
http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2008/1...s-lates-5.html
Or have them up for re-election every four years. Carl Pohlad would have one of the lowest approval ratings in history. :cool:Quote:
Originally Posted by cartman00000001
Well he's doing something right as the twins are competitive every year, I don't know what kind of balance sheet the Twins run, he may only be puting what the team makes back into the team, sure he may have alot of money from other things, but that because he's a good businessman.
If he feels the investment won't increase t he profits then why should he invest more money?
My issues stem more from the fact that he HAS admitted he really doesn't like having the team (and trying like Hell to get it contracted? Why? Well, because the rest of MLB was going to pay out a lump sum to whatever owner's team was dropped!), clearly doesn't seem to WANT the team, and only keeps it to hang out with other rich guys.Quote:
Originally Posted by gRYFYN1
If you don't want it, sell it.
The Twins being competitive year after year is attributed to Terry Ryan and now Bill Smith's shrewd moves as general manager (not counting Rondell White, Tony Batista and Livan Hernandez) and the superior scouting and development of the Twins. Carl Pohlad doesn't make those decisions. It is understandable that because of the Twins being in a smaller media market than the Yankees, Mets, Red Sox, etc., that they're not going to generate as much revenue as those teams (far from it), but that doesn't take Carl Pohlad off the hook. Like Arctic Blast mentioned, there were several times when the Twins were close to contraction or relocation was being considered that he refused to sell the team to buyers that wanted to keep it in Minnesota, and like I mentioned above, although Minneapolis/St. Paul is a smaller media market, Carl Pohlad's pockets are deeper than anybody else's. I do give him credit for making sure that Kirby Puckett, Kent Hrbek, and Brad Radke spent their entire careers with the Twins, and hopefully Joe Mauer and Justin Morneau will do the same someday.
Francoeur and Johnson trade talks
I dont wnat to trade francouer... i say offer him a 4 year deal 20-25 million. I honestly dont see why he wont bounce back. only problem is... would he take it?Quote:
Numerous reports coming out of the General Manager Meetings indicate the Braves are talking to teams about the possibility of trading Kelly Johnson and Jeff Francoeur, who are both entering their first arbitration-eligible season.
With Martin Prado capable of playing second base, there's a good chance Johnson will be traded at some point this offseason. He's drawing interest from a number of clubs. Dave O'Brien of The Atlanta-Journal Constitution wrote that he heard whispers about a Johnson-for-Ryan Ludwick deal. If there is some validity to this, it seems like the Cardinals would ask the Braves to include at least one more player.
Braves GM Frank Wren is reluctant to trade Francoeur, whose trade value dipped significantly this past season. Because of Royals GM Dayton Moore's ties to the Braves, Kansas City has been linked as a possible destination for Francoeur. But right now, the Royals aren't offering enough to persuade Wren to pull the trigger and risk the possibility that a hometown star could go elsewhere and prove this past season was just a fluke.
As for Johnson...
if we can trade Johnson and Brandon Jones for Ludwick I say do it...
only problem I have is the deal for Peavy seems to be centered around escobar, and I dont really want to give him up.
this is a deal that I think they would do and I think its a decent deal as long as Hansen is not in it. I REALLY hate giving up Escobar tho :(Quote:
Yunel Escobar, center fielder Jordan Schafer, pitcher Charlie Morton, and one more pitching prospect.
That'd be a waste of money. Francoeur's plate discipline and pitch recognition is atrocious. I would not give him a long-term deal until he proves capable of posting at least a .330 OBP consistently. I'd honestly deal him now while people are still in awe with his back-to-back 100 RBI seasons.Quote:
Originally Posted by TheNamelessPoet
You'd give up a very good 26 year old second basemen and a 24 year old outfielder with good potential for a 29 year old outfielder with an extensive history of injuries and one good season under his belt?Quote:
we have a plethora it seams in the OF as "potential" and we already have a replacement 2B wh ohas proved he can hit and can field at least average
I agree with HGM on this - LOL - also you could get something BETTER than Ludwick for those 2 players as base-line,maybe even Peavy or HollidayQuote:
Originally Posted by TheNamelessPoet
Who? Prado? Johnson's much better.Quote:
Originally Posted by TheNamelessPoet
If the Padres/Rockies weren't looking more for pitching, definitely. You could easily get something better than Ludwick for a package centered around Johnson and Jones though.Quote:
Originally Posted by FRENCHREDSOX
johnson has more power yes... but I think with a full year you will see thats about he only difference. Johnson is a little faster but it seams bobby has gone almost compleatly away from stealing
Speed shows up in more than just stolen bases.Quote:
Originally Posted by TheNamelessPoet
But, the power and speed aren't the only difference.
Johnson's a .280/.360/.450 hitter.
Prado was a .300/.352/.393 hitter in the his minor league career. He's not a .320/.377/.461 hitter as he did in roughly 250 plate appearances this year. That was fueled by a .357 BABIP. Prado's likely a .280/.340/.390 hitter over a full season, which is a significant downgrade from Johnson.
i'm hearing holiday to phillies.
Peavy to the braves
Cards and braves trading ludwick and k johnson
all just what I'm hearing, but eh
You hear a lot of rumors. I'm hearing a ringing in my ears and voices in my head.
i'd take brandon jones and k johnson for ludwick...hell ya....that would be great for both teams.....i think that is.
It'd be great for the Cards, that's for sure.
it would be good for the braves in my opinion IF he stays healthy... everyone said Drew was a bad idea for the braves because he was always hurt and he wast when he was with us... and isnt really with the sox too
You think the Drew trade was good? It wasn't bad, as you got one excellent year out of him....but you gave up 2 years of average pitching from Jason Marquis, plus Adam Wainwright.Quote:
Originally Posted by TheNamelessPoet
Also, Drew wasn't coming off his first big year in the major leagues. He was always an excellent hitter when healthy before the trade. Ludwick has an injury history and only one good year in the majors under his belt. Injury isn't the main concern with Ludwick...it's that he's not established and you'd be giving up two young talented players for a guy coming off a career year at a level he's never shown before and isn't likely to match again.
i'm wanting ludwick and shumacker for holiday...that's what I want....but dunno if that can happen. And would colorado even want that seeing how they want to part with adkins and tavares as well
There's no way Colorado would take Ludwick and Shumacker for Holliday. It's going to require one or two very good prospects (probably pitching), just like with Peavy.Quote:
Originally Posted by Jeffy25
likely, but ludwick is coming off his carear year. And he hitting in colorado would be ridiculous, he hits everything high and hard. If we are going to part with ludwick, I say go after holiday and give him his extension....5 or 6 years and have albert and holiday together for a long time. but if we can't get that done, then ludwick for a second basemen
Trading Ludwick would be a good move for St. Louis, but he's not going to be more than a piece to round out a deal for one of the big names like Holliday.
either way i see him being traded